“Yesterday’s sham trial is indicative of the corrupt judicial system in Venezuela that is being used to silence freedom loving individuals who seek justice,” declared Ros-Lehitnen and Wasserman Schultz in a joint statement.

Leopoldo López, a 43-year-old politician, is a Harvard graduate and leader of the Popular Will party, who is being held since last February at the Ramo Verde military prison. The members of the US Congress expressed their support for “Leopoldo López and the more than 100 political prisoners of conscience who are wrongly being detained by the Maduro regime.”

This week, Lilian Tintori, López’s wife, will visit several countries to denounce the “human rights violations” she says her husband has endured while detained.

“Their only ‘crime’ is bravely standing up to an authoritarian regime and demanding freedom and democratic change,” said the congresswomen. The Florida representatives are promoting the idea of economic sanctions against Venezuelan officials to make “Maduro’s regime … accountable for its actions.”

Two weeks ago, the same court Leopoldo López will now face charged fellow opposition leader and former National Assembly Representative María Corina Machado with incitement to violence.

“While the Maduro regime continues to take steps to silence the opposition, we will continue to be a voice for those who are trying to be stand up for a just and free Venezuela,” concluded Ros-Lehtinen and Schultz.